Asthenes
Asthenes
Asthenes is a Kryptis and one of Cerus's dearest comrades.[1] It aims to possess the mursaat wizard Mabon during the latest Kryptis invasion of Amnytas.
Biography[edit]
Asthenes, along with other Kryptis, began the latest invasion of Amnytas, home to the Wizard's Court and the Astral Ward, on behalf of Midnight King Eparch shortly after the World Spire's wards malfunctioned due to the transfer of magic from the dying Elder Dragon Soo-Won to Aurene. Asthenes's goal was to possess the mursaat wizard Mabon by assaulting his mind and eventually tethering its soul to his so both would survive as long as one of them drew breath. Mabon kept Asthenes at bay although the Kryptis bided its time and waited for its target's moment of weakness as it slowly began chipping away the wizard's defenses.
In 1336 AE, Asthenes finally succeeded after Mabon had spent much of his strength in saving his comrade Lyhr from possession as well as opening the Wizard's Tower. Despite the possession, however, Mabon was still able to control some of his actions to set up wards in the Bastion of Strength in an attempt to shield parts of it from the Kryptis although his resistance continued eroding under the Kryptis's influence.
The Pact Commander, Mabon's apprentice Zojja as well as members of the Wizard's Court and Astral Ward eventually tracked down Mabon to the Bastion of Strength. However, it turned out to be a trap as the possessed mursaat was accompanied by several Kryptis which ambushed the would-be rescuers. The wizards ended up splitting up in the ensuing battle, leaving the Commander and Zojja to face Mabon alone. Asthenes emerged from Mabon's body to battle the pair directly. Regaining some of his willpower, the mursaat wizard urged the pair to slay Asthenes despite what it would cost him. After a fierce struggle, Asthenes was defeated albeit it led to Mabon's demise as well.
During the Commander's confrontation with the Kryptis Lord Cerus, the latter taunted the former by acknowledging Asthenes as one of his dearest comrades who had landed the final blow on Mabon and that Cerus himself had experienced the wizard's pain much to his delight.
Story involvement[edit]
Secrets of the Obscure[edit]
- Act II
Combat abilities[edit]
- Abilities
- Area Stun
- Lamentation
- Leap Attack
- Mighty
- Effects
Tethered Life Force - Asthenes has tethered its life force to Mabon, linking the fates of both together.
Related achievements[edit]
Secrets of the Obscure: Act 2: Asthenes Acrobatics — Defeat the chapter boss without being downed. (1
)
Trivia[edit]
- Asthenes derives from Ancient Greek ἀσθενής (asthénos), from ἀ- (a-, 'un-'), σθένος (sthénos, 'strength'), and -ής (-ḗs, adjective suffix), meaning 'insignificant, weak.' The adjective is famously used in the Greek translation of the Bible in Matthew 26:41, "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."
